10/18/2023
To all my upper county friends…..this is why I support Jeff Meyers for District 7 commissioner.
Make your voice heard. Vote for Jeff.
Upper Kittitas County Firefighters & Paramedics issue the following statement regarding the mailer district residents received from commissioner Bill Dickinson, who is running for re-election:
Firstly, Commissioner Dickinson pointed out that “one of the 3 sitting commissioners is a union firefighter from the Westside”. True, Commissioner Zipperer is a Captain with Central Mason Fire-EMS, and is a member of Mason County Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 2394. While he is a union member, he has never shown our members any special treatment or leeway as a fire commissioner for KCFD7. He has always shown the members of our local and citizens respect, professionalism, and a willingness to work with employees of the district to improve safety and enhance the level of service we deliver to our community. Jeff was a member of upper management, working with unions for 24-years as a police administrator. He was not a union member himself, nor a member of the IAFF.
Secondly, Commissioner Dickinson stated “My opponent is married to a retired union firefighter from the Westside and has solicited and/or received over $13,000 in campaign funds, much of it from Westside firefighter unions as well as the local union.” Jeff Myers has raised $13,973, with only $2,200 of it coming from unions, of which over half of that comes from your local firefighters. With “much” more ($11,773) coming from individual grassroots, businesses, and other contributions. The money raised reflects how people believe in Jeff as a leader, and they understand this election is critical for the future of our fire district and that it’s time to move forward.
“Why are the unions giving anything to Jeff Myers?” From day one, Jeff approached us to ask; “what is needed?”, “what can be done differently?”, and “how can we make this fire district better, together?”. None of the answers shared with Mr. Myers included: “who to hire and fire as the fire chief”, or “influence contract negotiations for wages and benefits in favor of the union”. The top priorities of your firefighters include; being involved in strategic planning for the agency's future, providing the highest level of service to our community as possible, and living by our agency motto “Neighbors Helping Neighbors”. Despite being chairperson of the board, which passed a resolution in 2022 to put a levy on the ballot that stated, “In order to meet increased call volumes, maintain and enhance the level of fire protection and emergency medical services…” Commissioner Dickinson wrote response guidelines that actively diminished the quality and level of EMS response within Fire District 7 directly after the levy was passed by our citizens.
Jeff is no stranger to Fire District 7. Five years ago he served on the citizen advisory committee for the Fire District. He worked with other community volunteers to help provide direct input to our elected Commissioners. Despite many recommendations being ignored, Jeff and his fellow citizens believed then, and now, that providing the best service to our residence should be the number one priority of the fire district.
In conclusion, this attempt at fear-mongering is just that. Your firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and all of the other public servants in Kittitas County, active and retired, hold service to our communities above all else. Our local strives to demand accountability from our members, as well as the administrations we work for. It exists to ensure the safety of your firefighters never becomes the last thing thought of. Our members lead the charge with community service, helping our communities both on and off duty through programs like Operation Warm, and our benevolent fund. We don’t do this for “wages and benefits in favor of the union”. The union negotiates the wages, benefits and working conditions of the firefighters, but also fights for what's in the best interest of the citizens we serve. This is why we support Jeff Myers.
Your Upper Kittitas County Firefighters and Paramedics, now more than ever, proudly endorse, support, and stand behind Jeff Myers for Kittitas County Fire District 7 Commissioner.
